When we go through trauma our nervous system becomes dysregulated as it has to manage an overload of major stressors. In therapy you can learn how to regulate your nervous system without becoming hyper or becoming shutdown emotionally. You can learn what is soothing for you and how to soothe yourself as well as how to set limits and boundaries that protect you. You can learn how to get comfortable in the uncomfortable places that you have been avoiding so that you can begin to heal. Therapy can help you to process your trauma without having to relive it. The focus in processing is on how your traumatic stressors have effected your mind, emotions, your body and your spirit. Triggers are often what causes a person to abuse substances, (See: ”How Chilhood Trauma Is The Root Of Addiction”)make unwise relationship choices, be filled with feelings of shame and self-hatred and a profound disconnect with yourself. When these triggers remain unconscious they can take on a life of their own and block change, growth and transformation. That is why it is essential to identify your “triggers” and learn how to manage them and what there is to learn from them so healing can take place on a deep level as you come out of disconnection with yourself.
LEARNING TO IDENTIFY YOUR “SPECIFIC” TRIGGERS
Before you can solve a problem it is essential to be able to identify what the problem is. It is the same with identifying and understanding your ‘specific” trauma triggers and the effects that these “triggers” have had and continue to have on your body, emotions, mood, and thoughts, spirit.
1.SCENT
Scent is one of the most potion “triggers” as scent is so powerful to stir up memories and feeling sensations that may have been stored and stuffed in our bodies for years. You may not be conscious of how “specific” scents are ‘triggers” for you but do notice that you have a strong reaction to a specific scent or scents. It may be that the person who molested you or abused you wore this scent or at the time of your trauma this scent was present in some way. You may notice that when you smell this scent you feel sad or angry or disgusted and not have connected the dots as to the root of what you are experiencing .
2.VOICE AND TONE
Voice and tone of voice can also be a trauma “trigger”. .An angry tone of voice may or argument can be a trauma “trigger” as this beings back memories and sensations of being terrified and helpless as a child or as an adult by someone who is out of control. You may have experienced “childhood trauma”(abuse,neglect,abandonment) and are dysregulated each time you hear a loud voice or are in contact with an angry person. You may feel scared and on high alert most of the time and not understand as you have not identified this “trigger” You may be” triggered” when someone is condescending as you had a condescending parent and internalized alot of shame and this is now a “trigger”.
3.BEING ALONE
Being alone can be a “trigger” as all of your shame comes to the surface when there are less distractions and can be a trauma “trigger” as you were very likely alone when you were traumatized. Learning to feel safe in your own body would be a great part of your healing as well as making choices of “safe” choices of people that you allow to be close. See “Three Ways To Nurture Yourself When Feeling Lonely and Depressed”
4. TOUCH
Touch which has the capacity to be so healing can also be a trauma “trigger” if the touch is not welcomed and without your permission and is “familiar” in a negative way. Then touch can be a reinjury. Your body is your boundary but as a trauma survivor your boundaries were invaded, and “touch” has become a mind field of many conflicting emotions. So therefore, touch can also be a trauma “trigger” as you have experienced touch that was not “safe” touch.
See: ”Keys To Feeling Safe In Your Own Body ”
There are many other trauma triggers as the above are just a few. Only you can learn to identify and understand those that are “specific” for you.
THERAPY CAN HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND TO HEAL YOUR TRAUMA TRIGGERS
I have been working with those that have been traumatized for many years and would be honored to help you to give yourself the attention you so need. We will give attention to those broken, wounded, neglected places that you have avoided for so many years and you will see how it will be so worth it in all areas of your life as you no longer neglect you but learn to connect with yourself and come alive in the process… no longer a “victim” of your past but “victorious”! If what I am saying resonates with you please give me a call and we can start this amazing journey together!